The morning after the evening at Lucas Lodge found the gentlemen of Netherfield ensconced in Bingley's study. They were considering the last few essential tasks to be completed for the estate. Darcy had come to realise that he could use the time before calling hours began to employ his friend better. As soon as calling hours were upon them, he would fidget and be less inclined to listen or engage properly, his attention wandering to the window and his comments oft repeating the desire to leave off the work.

Their work was interrupted by the entrance of Netherfield's butler. "Sir," the butler addressed Darcy. "This has arrived for you from Darcy House. I've sent your man on to the kitchen."

Darcy took the letter, opening it with haste. His eyes ran swiftly over the words, his face growing grave then impassive as he recalled his surroundings. "Find him a decent meal and somewhere to rest if you would. I'll have a reply and he can return with it once refreshed."

The butler nodded and left the room to carry out his instruction.

"Darcy?" Bingley asked with concern. "What is it?"

"My Aunt, Mrs Scrivenshaw, she writes to request my presence in London as soon as I may. She needs my help."

"You have not mentioned her previously."

"No, in truth, she is my father's eldest sister, and I have not seen or spoken to her in any way since my father's funeral. She has intimated that she requires my help and that I shall need to attend to her in London. I shall have to take Georgiana and Mrs Annersley with me. I cannot say for how long I shall be absent. I apologise, Bingley, though I trust my absence shall be lessened by the time you shall spend with Miss Bennet?"

"When shall you leave?"

"At first light tomorrow, it is too late to start today. Though we have had a few dry days, the roads shall be trying. I should think it will take us the whole day to make the journey. If you'll excuse me, I shall go directly to Georgiana and tell her the news."

"Yes of course. Shall I have the carriage brought around? You shall wish to take your leave of the Bennets."

"Yes, thank you," Darcy said striding from the room in search of his sister.

Darcy entered the morning parlour where Georgiana was sitting sewing ribbon onto a bonnet.

"Brother," she greeted him warmly.

"Georgiana," Darcy replied taking a seat next to her. "I have some news and I fear that it shall mean our departure from Netherfield."

"Oh?" her hands stilled, and her face fell. "Everything is well with our aunt and uncle?"

"Yes, it is not the Matlocks who have written. Our aunt Mrs Scrivenshaw has requested my aid. You perhaps do not remember her? She attended father's funeral."

"I do not believe so."

"It is of no surprise, her husband discouraged her from keeping the connection. He has died recently; I believe in the last four months. Mrs Scrivenshaw wrote to say she was travelling to London, she wishes to call on us at Darcy House and request my aid in a family matter. I shall have to go, and I am unable to leave you behind when I have no clear indication of how long matters may take to resolve."

"Of course. When do we leave?"

"I hoped that we might leave tomorrow morning by first light. The roads will be atrocious at this time of year. It will probably take a whole day of travel which may stretch to two if we are unlucky. The carriage has been called so that you may take your leave of the Bennets."

"Thank you, I should like to do so. Shall you accompany me?"

"Yes."

The Bennets were all graciousness and dismay upon learning of the departure of the Darcys. Kitty, Mary and Georgiana sat together discussing the events that they would now be unable to attend together. They lamented that Georgiana would miss the Gardiners whom she had been looking forward to meeting, having heard many good things of them. As Mrs Gardiner had been brought up in Lambton, she had been keen to learn of what that lady thought of that part of the world.

Mrs Bennett warmly told Georgiana that once matters were settled, she would be most welcome to return and that she would surely be missed over the Christmastide.

Georgiana quite touched at the easy inclusion Mrs Bennet had always extended, thanked her with equal warmth. "It is possible that matters may be settled so that we could return by the twelfth night. I know that my brother's initial plans were for us to leave for Pemberly shortly after then as he has much to oversee."

"Then we shall hope to see you then. There is always a small assembly in Meryton to celebrate the twelfth night. A little dinner and dancing," Mrs Bennet said. "If you can only dance with family it is still a delight to join the entertainment."

Georgiana nodded. "That does sound delightful, though as I am not out I do not know if I should attend."

"No one would mind in our little corner of the world," Mrs Bennett replied. "A little practice shall do you no harm. But if Mr Darcy should not allow it, a merry time can be had with friends and good conversation. Consider it my dear."

Georgiana nodded her acceptance then the conversation turned to what she might do while in London. "I do not know if my Aunt and Uncle Matlock are in town. It shall depend on them I suppose as to if we socialise much. If they are not there then we shall stay at Darcy House, if they are then there shall be dinners of course."

Mr Darcy had upon arrival been informed by the housekeeper that Miss Elizabeth and the Master were in the study. Bingley had clapped him warmly on the back and entered the parlour, Georgiana on his heels. Feeling mildly put out and amused in turn, he asked the housekeeper to show him to Mr Bennet's study.

The tableau presented was one of convivial company and conversation between two people dear to each other. Miss Elizabeth was sat kitty-corner to her father's desk, with a portable writing table at her side where she was reading through letters and writing replies. Mr Bennet was attending his pile of correspondence. At his entry, they made movements to tidy away the letters but he forestalled them by raising a hand. "Do not stop on my account, I am aware as any man how quickly correspondence can build if not attended to."

Mr Bennet indicated to a free chair and rose to pour measures of brandy for himself and Darcy. For Elizabeth, he poured a small sherry and handed it over with a slight smile.

"Do not tell your mother."

Elizabeth placed the glass down on her father's desk after tasting it." I shall not." She turned to Mr Darcy. "Have Georgiana and Mr Bingley accompanied you?"

"Yes, they are in the parlour with your sisters and Mrs Bennet. We have come to take our leave I am afraid. I have had a letter requiring my presence in London and I cannot as yet say how long I shall need to remain there."

"Nothing too dreadful I hope?"

"A family matter. If business continues past a certain length of time, I fear that we will need to return directly to Pemberley, though this is not the wish of my sister, or myself."

"Then we wish you a speedy journey and that your business does not take too long. But since you are denying me a tolerable partner, you must play me once more." Mr Bennet rose from his desk indicating the chess board set up.

"Of course," Mr Darcy said rising as well.

It was just before dinner when they arrived. The journey had been slow due to the heavy mud on the roads and had stretched to encompass all of the good light and on into the early evening. Dark had fallen fully as they stopped at Darcy House.

If the carriage had not been so well-lit and their destination so close, Darcy would have stopped at an inn for the night. The coachman had assured him that the worst was passed, and the road was improving, and he would have them home for the dinner bell. It had been a close-run thing on the timing Darcy noted when he checked his pocket watch, but the carriage had pulled to a halt outside Darcy House with everyone safe if weary from the travel.

Darcy handed Georgiana and Mrs Annersley down from the carriage and paused to exchange a word of thanks to the coachman before following them through the front door into Darcy House.

Darcy handed over his outwear to the waiting footman before beckoning his butler to him. "If you could collect Mrs Frodsham and join me in my study."

Hawes nodded, ghosting away on silent feet as Darcy eyed the staircase and weighed the decision of freshening up now or after his meeting. Debating briefly, he decided against going upstairs. He entered his study, crossing to the array of decanters laid out on the sideboard. Pouring himself a measure, he moved to his desk as the girl who had lit the fire slipped out. Settled in his chair, he withdrew from his inner pocket the letter that had prompted his actions as a knock sounded on the door. Hawes and Mrs Frodsham entered at his command. Darcy waved them to the seats in front of his desk. A flicker of concern passed between his retainers as they followed his directive.

"Please be easy. I have no ill news to impart. I have no issue with any of the staff and wish to make no changes to the way things are done here. You both perform admirably. What I must impart to you is a family matter. My aunt, Mrs Beatrice Scrivenshaw, is expected today sometime before dinner. I trust we have not missed her call?"

Hawes shook his head. "No Sir. As per your received instructions, I should have bidden her wait for you."

Darcy nodded his understanding and then offered further. "Her husband has lately left her a widow; his estate and dower house is not available to her. She has requested my help, and I shall be inviting her to stay here at Darcy House. I wish the Green rooms opened for her, and an upstairs maid to be assigned to her for now if she does not travel with one," Darcy directed Mrs Frodsham with a look. "I would, until further notice, prefer the knocker be kept off the door and all visitors turned away unless I have indicated they may be allowed. To clarify, the Darcys are not home to visitors, friends, and family alike, and shall not be so. The situation with Mrs Scrivenshaw is such that certain persons may try to seek her out. They shall not gain access to this house to harass a newly widowed lady."

Hawes and Mrs Frodsham murmured their understanding.

"Once Mrs Scrivenshaw has arrived, and I obtain a better understanding of her situation, I shall offer her Darcy House as her principal residence should she wish to stay in London. I have no qualms that she shall be treated well here, allowing her to recover her spirits. I hope that we shall have matters resolved within a fortnight. Small family dinners will be perfectly acceptable. I anticipate no entertaining."

After the assurances that his instructions would be followed, they left him. Darcy collected himself together, shaking off the concerns that crept into his mind. He ascended to his chambers to refresh himself before joining his sister and Mrs Annersley in the parlour.

"Do you know when we might expect Mrs Scrivenshaw?" Georgiana enquired.

"I do not, her letter was a little vague, only that she would call here between four and six, but I expect she shall be in time to join us for dinner."

"Do you recall much of her? I confess I cannot remember her at all."

Darcy sat back in his chair, recalling all that he could. "She is our father's sister, elder I believe, but not by many years. There was another son, but a childhood sickness took him before his tenth birthday. He would have been the eldest. Our Aunt Beatrice married Mr Scrivenshaw in the year 80, two years before our parents' marriage took place. I believe that it was a match that was approved by all parties, the Scrivenshaw estate is in Dorset, and the family moved in the first circles, well known for their hospitality. This knowledge is from what our father told me as he saw to my education and training. I last saw her at our father's funeral. Her husband did not attend as I recall. I believe an excuse was offered, some matters of business, to explain his absence. Since the families had never been close, I did not question it. I did not know of all father's acquaintances, and if Mr Scrivenshaw had chosen to stay away and send Mrs Scrivenshaw, I saw no need to make further inquiries. We did not exchange much more than pleasantries at the funeral. There were perhaps you remember, a great number of people in attendance and the Fitzwilliams were solicitous of both our comforts. I recall that she had two sons though I do not know any more of them."

Georgiana accepted the information, and the siblings sank into introspection, aroused some half-hour later by the sound of shouting coming from the street. Darcy crossed to the window. "It is nothing. A pedestrian stepped off the pavement close to a carriage."

"I believe I shall attend my practice until the bell, brother. If you would inform me when Mrs Scrivenshaw arrives, so I may welcome her?"

"Yes, of course," he replied, hiding his surprise at his sister's willingness to welcome strangers.

Mrs Annersley rose as well, but as Georgiana stepped from the room, she paused and turned back to him. "Miss Darcy has made much improvement during her stay at Netherfield. The Miss Bennets have all been very warm and welcoming without artifice."

Darcy nodded. Then as Mrs Annersley hesitated, he stepped forward. "Please, I believe that you are aware of the depth of concern for my sister."

Mrs Annersley nodded, but still, she paused, weighing her words. "I wish you to understand that there is no maliciousness in the action."

Darcy waited, worry suddenly niggling at him.

"Mrs Bennet," Mrs Annersley continued, "has quite taken to Miss Darcy, and, for want of a description, mothers her somewhat. In return, Miss Darcy sees Mrs Bennet with some small measure of affection. Mrs Bennet is a woman with some experience with young ladies, and Miss Darcy has blossomed under this care. She has been praised, genuinely so, and encouraged to take her place as a gentlewoman, in her own home at least, as all the Miss Bennets do. Greeting expected guests, ensuring refreshments are provided and the like. I have done nothing to discourage this, as I believe that it has been to the advantage of Miss Darcy to be treated the same as she sees other daughters of her age being treated."

Darcy nodded. "I thank you for your candour."

Mrs Annersley dipped a small curtsey and left the room to follow after her charge.

Darcy moved back to the window, both pleased and dismayed. Pleased that Georgiana was blossoming and had found genuine friendships, and uneasy that he had yet again failed his sister. He had underestimated the importance of friendships between genuine young ladies and the possible want of a mother figure in his sister's life.

Shaking himself from his lapse into more profound thought, Darcy returned to his study, taking up the pile of post and sorting it through. Invitations were sorted out from correspondence and put to one side. He would neither accept nor decline any invitations as either option would alert society to his presence.

There was little in the way of work to do. His most crucial correspondence was forwarded to him by his staff no matter where he travelled. Once he had reviewed what he needed to do, he left his study to enter the small library, selecting a tome and settling by the fire to read.